[Lexi]

Hello all -- as there seem to be a couple extremely knowledgeable Chess fans on this board, I thought I'd ask a question that has been lingering in the back of both my and my friend's mind.

First of all, when Anatoly is playing Freddie in the final game, am I correct in saying that Walter plots with Molokov because Freddie is still playing for the US, who he feels is superior to the UK (Anatoly's new home)? If so, why is Molokov still involved? My friend and I feel that it's because Molokov wants to make Anatoly appear weak for defecting from the Soviet Union. Is that a correct statement?

Secondly and more importantly, in the ending where Anatoly is playing for the UK against Viigand, why does Walter want to cooperate with Molokov? Yes, Walter wants to arrange a deal to get US agents back from the Soviets, but wouldn't a victory from someone (i.e. Anatoly) who defected from the Soviet Union, even if it wasn't specifically to the US, translate into a huge PR victory for the free world and be prized higher than saving "several key agents" from the USSR?

Thank you to anyone who can answer our questions.

[Lexi]

No one has any ideas?

[superdave]

It can be hard to say, because Chess, dammit...has had so many phases and there are different synopsises for everywhere it went. I dont even know what version you are talking about.
--concept album
--broadway
--sweedish version
--sydney version

ALL have different stories.

[Chessfan]

About WALTER in the London version. He is helping Molokov in order to secure the release of some of his agents (or at least U.S. agents). This ACTUAL gain is far more useful than a P.R. victory. Especially as Anatoly isn't representing the U.S. but is simply a "stateless person". Thus while he might represent the free world he can also be safely distanced from it if he loses. Its win, win from Walters point of view.

"he may have defected, he may be a good guy but face it he's yesturdays issue"

Anatoly's defection was a huge P.R. victroy for the Free World. He is however from a P.R. point "old news". He is the reigning champion and so is expected to win anyway so his victory wouldn't make the same kind of headlines as his defection did.

Molokov in the U.S. show.

ACT TWO is set only a few months after ACT ONE so it makes sense for Molokov to be still active. He is being held responsible for Anatolys defection and so he has to get him back in order to save his career (and maybe his kneecaps ). This is why in the U.S. version of the deal there is the added demand that Anatoly return to the Soviet Union. This demand was not part of the original Deal in the Concept Album or the London version.

Hope it helps

[Cadriel]

The point is that Walter sells Anatoly out for political gain. He also helped Anatoly defect for political gain. That's his motivation. One of the reasons I like the Sydney version so much is for the exchange between Walter and Florence where he excoriates Florence for being the one who comes out clean in the whole deal - "Do you think I enjoy / playing with people's emotions? / In a way that ensures / I have to extinguish my own? / While you and your morals can selfishly, safely, survive." He's being genuine and manipulative at once; it's brilliant. Walter in London, and to a lesser extent Broadway (where his one decent moment is lost in the "kick Florence's puppy, why don't you" scene), is shallow and mostly a plot device.

Not having Walter was one of the weaknesses of the Stockholm (and Off-Broadway, not to mention concept album) versions of the show: without him, we don't really have a critique of the Cold War era United States in the show. Which is a shame, because it loses the "either side would everything that is decent and human for gain" angle that London and Broadway (and Sydney) have, to their credit.

- Wayne

[Lexi]

Thank you very much for your detailed and informative answers. I think they generally confirmed what we suspected; it's great to have others who seem to have reached the same conclusion as us. I can't help but think that the average theatregoer doesn't possess the effort needed to fully understand the musical in all of its incarnations, but maybe that's not an entirely bad thing.

Anyway, thanks again for your answers.

[Chessfan]

Actually I like the London version of Walter. He is ruthless in serving his country. He is a perfect counterpart to Molokov. I wasn't a fan of his pointless moralising in the Sydney show. It sort of made him just another character trapped by his situation.

Both Molokov and Walter are a different breed. Both have accepted their place in the grand scheme of things and are comfortable with their decision. I think this works better as it leaves more time and audience attention span for the dilemmas of Anatoly, Florence and Freddie. If there are those that feel trapped by the world there surely must be those who have accepted it.

[Cadriel]

Chessfan:

Well, the thing that gets me about Walter in London is that the closest he comes to human emotion is the little "Is this the time in my affairs.." snippet just before "The Interview," and it's honestly not much of a character moment, at least for me. He clearly benefitted a lot in the OLC from being played by Kevin Colson, but any other London Walter leaves me cold. Half a minute of him genuinely expressing himself would've done it. I think the figure's half-drawn and that this shows in the sketchy motivations given him in London. (Of course, given the chance and a good vocal coach, I'd love to play the part, so I'm a little biased.)

-Wayne

[Chessfan]

Yeah me too. I auditioned for him once but they went with an older guy (also the guy could sing like there was no tommorow so fairs fair.)

I think Walter is given so little time is because you aren't supposed to spend much time thinking about him. He is a character defined by actions and not words. In the london show as in the Concept album Anatoly's internal struggle must take precedence.

Anyway maybe with Walter like many real people what you see is what you get. The faceless company man. Serving his country.

Also I had a think about this earlier and re-listened to the Sydney show. I think the London versions Walter is a much more interesting character and can be so cold because he is in someways an American elitist or xenophobe. Basically if your not Amercian then you don't really count. In the london production Florence is Hungarian/English, and so is fair game for his manipulations. It also explains his harsh treatment of her at the end of the show (which is a part I like). Why should he care what happens to a piece of eurotrash named Florence Vassey.

Also getting back to Sydneys Walter. I don't think he is being genuine at all when speaking to Florence in THE DEAL. He is simply manipulating her. Its an act to get her to focus on her father rather then on her love for Anatoly.